error msg on iPad 2 during sync

my parents got an iP2 and i was going to do the iOS 5 update to it. first will it delete the pics that are currently on it? when i plug into itunes all apps seem to sync fine then when it gets to pictures i get this error msg

itunes could n ot back up the ipad because the backup was corrupt or not compatiable with the ipad...select backup for this ipad and try again.

not sure.

julpey

What program did you use for pictures ?
What is the iPad docked to model and year ?
In iTunes what was listed as the last backup ?