A method is described for operation of a DMA engine. Copying is initiated for transfer of a first number of bytes from first source memory locations to first destination memory locations. Then, a halt instruction is issued before the first number of bytes are copied. After copying is stopped, a second number of bytes is established, encompassing those bytes remaining to be copied. After the transfer is halted, a quantity of the second number of bytes is identified. Quantity information is then generated and stored. Second source memory locations are identified to indicate where the second number of bytes are stored. Second source memory location information is then generated and stored. Second destination memory locations are then identified to indicate where the second number of bytes are to be transferred. Second destination memory location information is then generated and stored.