Make sure you are using a VB example program that ships with NI-488.2 to test your application. They are located at C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI-488.2\Languages\Visual Basic. If you are using VB.NET, you'll need to sign up for the beta at www.ni.com/beta.
It is unclear what "interactive panel" you are referring to, you could be refering to a visa interactive control, IBIC, or the NI-488.2 communicator. Whatever it is, you can get an NI-Spy capture of it and compare it to an NI-Spy capture of your VB program running to see if they are using the same settings.
NI Spy Tutorial