:syntax on
To turn off color syntax on vi while using it ESC +
:syntax off
To turn on color syntax for your user permanently.
g$ echo "syntax on" >> ~/.vimrc
To turn off color syntax for yourself permanently.
g$ echo "syntax off" >> ~/.vimrc
To turn on color syntax for all the users in your system
root#echo "syntax on" >>/etc/vim/vimrc
IF you keep on getting errors like:
"Sorry, the command is not available on this version"
then you need to install more Vi Improved extensions - features.
root# apt-get install vim
vim color syntax