How do I update the iOS 5.1.

The first generation can not be upgraded beyond iOS 5.1.1. If you don't have 5.1.1, go to

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4972

If you are trying to update to iOS 5 or higher - you have to use iTunes on a computer to update the iPad - assuming that you are not already running iOS 5.

Here are the instructions. See the section about using iTunes.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4972

Or you can connect the iPad to the computer, launch iTunes. Select the iPad under the devices heading on the left, click on the Summary tab and then click on Check for Update

If you are already on iOS 5+ then you should have a Settings > General > Software Update option for direct update on the iPad, if you have iOS 4 then you will need to do the update via your computer's iTunes. An iPad 1 can only be updated to iOS 5.1.1, so if you are already on that then you are up-to-date.

To update via your computer, connect the iPad to your computer's iTunes and copy any purchases off the iPad to your computer via File > Transfer Purchases (File > Devices > Transfer Purchases on iTunes 11). You may also want to copy photosand any important documents off the iPad as well e.g. via the file sharingsection at the bottom of the device's apps tab when connected to iTunes, via wifi, email, dropbox etc - they should be included in the backup, but it's best to havea copy of them outside of the backup just in case. You can then force a backup of the iPad by right-clicking the iPad 'Device' on the left-hand side of iTunes and selecting 'Backup'.

Then start the update by selecting the iPad on the left-hand side of iTunes (on iTunes 11 you can enable the left-hand sidebar via option-command-S on a Mac, control-S on a PC), and on the Summary tab on the right-hand side clicking the Check For Updates button

Updating to iOS 5+ : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4972

You have an iPad 1.

If you have an iPad 1, the max iOS is 5.1.1. For newer iPads, the current iOS is 6.0.1. For the iPad Mini the iOS is 6.0.2. The Settings>General>Software Update only appears if you have iOS 5.0 or higher currently installed.

iOS 5: Updating your device to iOS 5 or Later

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4972

How to install iOS 6

http://www.macworld.com/article/2010061/hands-on-with-ios-6-installation.html

iOS: How to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4623

If you are currently running an iOS lower than 5.0, connect the iPad to the computer, open iTunes. Then select the iPad under the Devices heading on the left, click on the Summary tab and then click on Check for Update.

Tip - If connected to your computer, you may need to disable your firewall and anitvirus software temporarily. Then download and install the iOS update. Be sure and backup your iPad before the iOS update. After you update an iPad (except iPad 1) to iOS 6.x, the next update can be installed via wifi (i.e., not connected to your computer).

 Cheers, Tom 😉