Cannot connect to cayenne with my NodeMCU ESP-12E board!

So I have this problem where my NodeMCU v1.0 will not connect to Dashboard.

It just keeps saying ‘waiting for board…’

Is there supposed to be a sketch I load? I am not provided with one as when working with an UNO from the dashboard.
Note: this NodeMCU has been previously flashed from the Arduino IDE 1.8.2. (FW or bootloader overwritten maybe?)

I can flash it anytime using Arduino IDE 1.8.2.
I have tried everything, serial port rate, board settings, reloading the Board json definition from, holding down the Flash button, everything I can think of. Serial USB driver is correct and working, again, I can flash it from the IDE no problem. I even matched the board settings from the NodeMCU help sheet http://learn.acrobotic.com/tutorials/post/esp8266-getting-started#step-4-lnk

Is the dashboard missing a plugin or not providing a startup sketch? plz help

quadruple checked these:
STEPS TO CONNECT
Install the Arduino IDE and add Cayenne MQTT Library to Arduino IDE.
Install the ESP8266 board package to Arduino IDE. show me how
Install required USB driver on your computer so you can program the ESP8266. show me how
Connect the ESP8266 to your PC/Mac via data-capable USB cable.
In the Arduino IDE, go to the tools menu, select your board, and the port your ESP8266 is connected to.

Waiting for board to connect…

Here are my other projects, GalenW1's Projects - Instructables so I am fairly confident that I am just missing something with Cayenne itself…?

thanks sirs