1. A method for operating a communications adapter having microcode control, said method comprising the steps of: upon starting microcode tasks in said adapter, setting a bit corresponding to said task in an adapter state register; upon issuance of a disruptive command to said adapter, copying said state register to a snapshot register; upon completing microcode tasks in said adapter, clearing said bit corresponding to said task in said adapter state register and in said snapshot register; and querying said snapshot register.