MDK 5.18 install problem with device family pack 8.5.0

Question

I have been trying to install the new version of everything Nordic 52. 
 That starts with the MDK 5.18. 
 To make sure I don't have an update problem I do a clean install using a win 10 VM, on a mac pro using parallels. (This has always been my development environment for Nordic) 
 When it is the time to install the "DeviceFamilyPack.8.5.0" in the Pack installer, it does run the pack unzip, but on the Output messages I get a "Cannot install Pack NordicSemiconductor.nRF_DeviceFamilyPack.8.5.0: Cannot compile SVD file(s)" every time. 
 Also, with some examples like the FreeRTOS blinky, when I try to update the needed pack I will get a "Cannot execute external request (Install Pack, "NordicSemiconductor:nRF_FreeRTOS:1.0.1-2.alpha"): Pack not found" error. 
 I do not think I am doing something wrong, since I am only fresh installing the MDK as I have always been. 
 Is there an alternative for installing this? 
 Thanks!

tesc · Accepted Answer

The "Cannot compile SVD file(s)" error is due to changes introduced in Keil 5.18. I updated to that Keil version a few weeks ago, and after removing all the DeviceFamilyPacks and reinstalling version 8.5.0 all the examples that I have tested seem to work just fine. Using an older version of the MDK will give the same error, as this is a new version of Keil complaining about SVD syntax that Keil previously considered OK. We strongly advice to use the latest version of the MDK available. 
 When testing examples, do you use the examples from Packs or do you use the zip download version of the SDK? I would recommend using the zip verison.