When specifying a new active, archive, or mirror log directory in the server options file or when formatting a server, the indicated directory must be empty to prevent and accidental overwrite of existing data.
If a FORMAT operation was being performed, the operation stops. If this was a change to the server options file to specify a new log directory, the new directory is ignored, and the existing directory is used.
Verify the directory that was specified. Delete any data in that directory if the data is not needed, or create a new directory. Reissue the format command.