When you sync with iTunes a copy is kept on your computer. If you plug you iPad into your computer and uncheck all the apps, then sync it will remove all the apps. If there are apps on it that are not in your iTunes library it should prompt you to move them to the PC. Once you have everything backup up and on the PC do a restore using iTunes to do it. Do not format it. If you format it the iOS will not be installed making your iPad an external hard drive.
|